15 August 2013
Finding Life in the Sand Dunes..............
At Talacre Beach
Today I have been to the beach. I found a grass hopper. I liked it and it jumped up my arm.I found a cocoon as well. I found it in the sand dunes. The cocoon was on one of the long grass. I liked the cocoon so much. I wish that I could see it again. The caterpillars eat the ragwort plant, it has poison in it, the poison is stored in the caterpillars body. The stripes warn birds not to eat it. I found lots of insects at the beach when I did not think I would find any. |
| Burnet moth cocoon (Zygaena spp.) |
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CINNABAR MOTH CATERPILLAR |
"The caterpillars feed on poisonous ragwort leaves. The poison from the leaves is stored in the caterpillars body (and even remains when they are an adult moth). Any birds or other predators that ignore the caterpillars bright warning sign will be repulsed by how foul they taste.
Numerous caterpillars on one ragwort plant can reduced it to a bare stem very quickly. They are also known to be cannibalistic.
The caterpillars overwinter as pupa in a cocoon under the ground. The adult moths emerge around mid May and are on the wing up until early August, during which time males and females will mate and eggs are laid"
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GATEKEEPER BUTTERFLY SITTING ON SEA HOLLY |
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Dolycoris baccarum - Hairy Shieldbug(Otherwise known as a 'Stink Bug' as it can produce a powerful defensive odour) |
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COMMON BLUE BUTTERFLY ON SEA HOLLY |
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A STENOTUS BINOTATUS
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A STENOTUS BINOTATUS
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Grasshopper |
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Grasshopper |
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Bee |
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WHAT IS THIS?! |
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| Evening Primrose |
